Temperance



Contents:

General Points

The drunkenness of the working classes was a constant source of concern during the 18th/19th century.

In the 1830s, there were 1003 pubs in Halifax and 889 brewers.

Under the Beerhouse Act [1830], almost anyone could open a beerhouse, and beerhouses were open 24 hours a day. This concerned the Puritans and other religious groups, and also those who feared political and religious dissention.

The temperance movement – promoting moderation in, or total abstention from, the use of alcohol – started in Britain around 1826, and temperance societies were set up to rescue those whose lives had been blighted by the demon drink. People – some as young as 6-years' old – were encouraged to sign the pledge, proclaiming their intent to abstain from drink. The movement was particularly strong in Nonconformist areas.

Because beer and ale provided many of the vitamins and carbohydrates in the diet, the temperance movement contribution to malnutrition amongst the working classes.

The United Kingdom Alliance was founded and called for an end to the sale of alcohol, but – realising that a national ban would be unlikely to succeed – the Alliance drew up a Permissive Bill, which allowed ratepayers to vote for a local ban. This resulted in the Licensing Act [1872].

When the British Workman temperance houses failed, houses selling coffee and cocoa were introduced.

In April 1915, George V offered to abstain from alcohol to encourage munitions-workers to do the same, in the belief that alcohol consumption reduced productivity. There was widespread resentment amongst the workers.

In 1847, the Band of Hope Movement was formed. There was also the Young Abstainers' Union intended for upper class children.

The organised temperance propaganda has been sustained by the various temperance leagues, including the North of England League, the orders of Rechabites, the Sons of Temperance, the Sons of the Phoenix, and the Good Templars.

The labours of the British Women's Temperance Association and the Women's Total Abstinence Union have been among the most powerful in the cause of temperance.

Temperance Hotels

By 1900, there were several temperance societies and 8 temperance hotels in Halifax, including



Anderson's Temperance Hotel, Halifax

Broad Street Temperance Hotels, Halifax

Central Commercial Temperance Hotel, Todmorden

Fielden Temperance Hotel & Coffee Tavern, Todmorden

Horsfall's Temperance Hotel, Halifax
Horton Street Temperance Hotels, Halifax

Maude's Temperance Hotel, Halifax

Nicholl's Temperance Hotel, Halifax
Northgate Temperance Hotel, Halifax

Richard's Temperance Hotel, Halifax

Stansfield's Temperance Hotel, Todmorden
Stephenson's Temperance Hotel



Stott's Temperance Hotel, Halifax
Sugden's Temperance Hotel, Halifax

Temperance Hotel, Brighouse
Temperance Hotel, Brighouse
Temperance Hotel, Brighouse
Temperance Hotel, Brighouse
Temperance Hotel, Halifax
Temperance Hotel, Halifax
Temperance Hotel, Halifax
Temperance Hotel, Luddenden
Temperance Hotel, Todmorden
Terminus Café & Temperance Hotel, Hebden Bridge
Trevelyan Temperance Hotel, Halifax

Victoria Temperance Hotel, Halifax

Ward's Temperance Hotel, Halifax
Waverley Temperance Hotel, Halifax
 

Other entries



Band of Hope Movement
John Bates
Beerhouse
Brighouse & Rastrick Temperance Brass Band
Brighouse & Rastrick Temperance Society
Brighouse Temperance Society
British Workman House
Ambrose Brook

Commercial Hotel, Halifax
Commercial Travellers' Temperance Association

Halifax Ladies' Temperance Society
Halifax Temperance Brass & Reed Band
Halifax Temperance Society
Halifax Total Abstinence Society
Hanover Street Chapel Sunday School Temperance Society
Harry Castle Hill, Rastrick
Samuel Hassall




Edwin Iredale

Junction, Ripponden

Nazebottom Temperance Prize Band

Sobriety Hall, Todmorden
Sons of Temperance
Spa House, Shibden

Temperance Hall, Halifax

Joshua Walshaw
Thomas Whiteley
Wyke Temperance Band

Youths' Temperance Society, Todmorden

Rechabites
 


See Salvation Army



© Malcolm Bull 2023
Revised 19:59 / 1st May 2023 / 9839

Page Ref: QQ_66

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